Because the Nets need frontcourt help, the team reached out to Collins, whose contract will be absorbed into a $5.25 million Disabled Player Exception the team obtained when center Brook Lopez suffered a season-ending foot injury.

Nets players were aware that Collins could be signed as a backup center, and the team's stars — Deron Williams, Kevin Garnett and Joe Johnson — all welcomed the idea of having Collins as a teammate. Johnson and Garnett played with Collins at previous NBA stops, in Atlanta and Boston, respectively.

After 12 years an NBA player, Collins came out as gay in a Sports Illustrated article, an announcement that was a revelation to many, even family members.

Prior to that announcement, Collins served as a role player on several successful teams, including a New Jersey Nets group that made consecutive runs to the NBA Finals. He maintains career averages of 3.6 points and 3.8 rebounds.

Collins, who played with Nets coach Jason Kidd in New Jersey, will start his 13th year in the NBA as an openly gay man.